Multiphase flow refers to the simultaneous flow of more than one fluid phase. It can be found in various places however it is most prevalent in the petroleum engineering field. This phenomenon brings about a major problem of pressure loss in the petroleum industry and results in a loss in production. Multiphase flow has been studied for years but there are few universally accepted solutions to calculate pressure drop. To accomplish this study, we used peer-review journals and articles in order to determine the flow regimes and characteristics of the different pipe orientations. This allowed us to determine the pressure drop calculations which were best suited for our study. We used a system that was designed with different pipe orientations that are found in the petroleum field and simulated the different flow regimes. Doing so allowed us to perform the calculations using two different pipe sizes; 1 inch and 1.5 inches. The results from the calculations showed that the pressure drop in the small pipe was greater than that of the bigger pipe.

1. Multiphase Flow
Performance in Piping
Systems
Christopher Alexis & Trevon Antoine
Mentor: Dr. Mahmoud Elsharafi
Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls, TX

2. Problem Statement
During production, different fluid phases tend to mix as they flow from
the reservoir to the surface. This multiphase mixture often result in
pressure drop within piping systems and ultimately decrease
production which causes an overall loss in the petroleum production
industry.

3. Introduction
The term refers to the simultaneous flow of more than one fluid phase
through a porous media.
There are three different phases:
• Solid
• Liquid
• Gas

4. Classifications of
Multiphase Flows
1. Gas-Liquid or Liquid-Liquid Flows
2. Gas-Solid Flows
3. Liquid-Solid Flows
4. Three-Phase Flows
From CNN
From niagrafallstourism.com

5. Research Methodology/Approach
1.Perform an intensive study of multiphase flow to understand how it
affects petroleum production through the research of peer reviewed
journals and articles.
2.Research and describe the multiphase flow patterns in different pipe
orientations and evaluate how these orientations influences flow
patterns.
3.Investigate the various fluid properties & parameters such as flow
rate, density and viscosity to determine how they influence pressure
drop using different formulations and correlations from previous
research.

6. Multiphase Flow Regimes
• Stratified Flow: In horizontal flow, this flow
regime typically occurs at low liquid and gas
velocities and complete separation of the phases
occurs in the pipe.
• Stratified Wavy Flow: If the velocity of the gas
phase in a stratified condition is increased, waves
form on the interface and travel in the same
direction as the direction of flow.
• Annular Flow: As the gas flow rate is increased
even further, the liquid forms a continuous
annular film around the perimeter of the pipe.
From Fekete Associates/IHS Markit
Energy

7. Plug & Slug Flow Regimes
• Plug Flow: The plug flow regime exhibits liquid
plugs that are separated by elongated gas
bubbles.
The elongated gas bubbles are smaller than the
pipe such that the liquid phase is continuous
along the bottom of the pipe below these
elongated bubbles.
• Slug Flow: At higher gas velocities, the diameter
of the elongated gas bubbles become similar in
size to the height of the pipe.
The liquid slugs separating the elongated
bubbles can also be described as large
amplitude waves.
From Fekete Associates/IHS Markit
Energy

8. Bubble & Mist Flow Regimes
• Bubble flow: Discrete gas bubbles are dispersed
in the continuous liquid phase. These bubbles
can vary considerably in size and shape however
they are typically almost spherical and are much
smaller than the pipe diameter.
• Mist Flow: At very high gas velocities all the
liquid becomes stripped from the inner surface
of the pipe and entrained as small droplets in
the vapor phase. From Fekete Associates/IHS Markit
Energy

9. Pressure Drop Calculations
• In order to calculate the pressure
losses with our system we assumed
parameters for two-phase flow in
the system.
• To calculate horizontal section of
the system, we used the Lockhart-
Martinelli correlation method.
• To calculate the pressure losses in
the vertical and inclined sections of
the system, we used the Beggs &
Brill correlation method.

10. Horizontal Section Pressure Loss

11. Lockhart-Martinelli Parameter

12. Total Multiphase Pressure Gradient

13. Horizontal 1.5” Pipe Pressure Loss Results

14. Horizontal 1” Pipe Pressure Loss Results

15. Beggs & Brill Correlation
• The Beggs and Brill (1973) correlation is one of the few published
correlations capable of handling all these flow directions.
• It was developed measuring the flow of water and air through 1" and
1-1/2" sections of acrylic pipe that could be inclined at different
angles from the horizontal.
• The Beggs and Brill multiphase correlation deals with both friction
pressure loss and hydrostatic pressure difference.

16. Beggs & Brill Method

21. Inclined Pipe Pressure Loss

22. Inclined Pipe Pressure Loss Results

23. Vertical Pipe Pressure Loss

24. Vertical Pipe Pressure Loss Results

25. Total Pressure Drop Within The System
Phase Inlet Pressure (psi)
Liquid 91.1
Air/Gas 120
Total Inlet Pressure 211.1
System Section Pressure Loss Pressure Difference
1.5" Horizontal Pipe (2 ft) 0.0108 211.09
1.5" Inclined Pipe 45° (2 ft) 0.6567 210.44
1.5" Downhill Pipe 45° (1 ft) -0.2987 211.40
1.5" Horizontal Pipe (0.25 ft) 0.0108 211.09
1.5" Vertical Pipe 90° (3 ft) 1.3746 209.73
1.5" Horizontal Pipe (2 ft) 0.0108 211.09
1" Horizontal Pipe (2 ft) 0.0748 211.03
1" Downhill Pipe 90° (2 ft) -0.7034 211.80
Total Pressure Loss (psi) 1.1362 209.96

26. Conclusion
• Majority of the pressure drop
was in the elbows
• The smaller pipe 1” had a greater
pressure drop.
• Most frictional pressure
drop occurred in the vertical 3ft
pipe.
• The 45° & 90° downhill pipes had
an increase in pressure.
-0.63 psi
+0.31 psi
-0.011 psi
-1.33 psi
-0.011 psi
+0.86 psi
-0.011 psi
-0.03 psi
+0.01 psi
+0.16 psi
-0.04 psi
-0.075 psi

27. References
• Griffth, Peter (1984, March). Multiphase Flow in Pipes. Society of Petroleum
Engineers.
• Sun, B. (2016). Multiphase Flow in Oil and Gas Well Drilling, First Edition.
• Yong Bai, Qiang Bai, in Subsea Engineering Handbook (Second Edition), 2019
• Zhuorana. D, Zijiang. Y, Xiaohong, Y. Mamorua, A. (2018). Experimental study on
void fraction, pressure drop and flow regime analysis in a large ID piping system
• Fancher, G. H., & Brown, K. E. (1963, March 1). Prediction of Pressure Gradients
for Multiphase Flow in Tubing. Society of Petroleum Engineers
• Hagedorn, Alton and Kermit Brown. 1965. “Experimental Study of Pressure
Gradients Occurring During Continuous Two-Phase Flow in Small-Diameter
Vertical Conduits.” Journal of Petroleum Technology.

28. Acknowledgements
● Dr. Mahmoud Elsharafi for his mentorship and support during this
project.
● Mr. Jim McCoy for past and continued support to the McCoy School
of Engineering.
● The Office of the Undergraduate Research Opportunities and
Summer Workshop for the opportunity to engage in undergraduate
research.

29. Any Questions ?